Amazon.com description: Product Description: Dr. Treffert tells us in his Introduction The message of hope in this book is a welcome and refreshing one because in the past too many times experts had recommended institutional care. Dr. Shore knows this all too well. In his chapter he reflects on a time when a physician saw institutionalization as the best option. There were moments in all the contributors lives that were impacted by events people circumstances or opportunities. They tell their heartfelt stories in the belief that these will lessen the burden on others provide hope to readers and help others on the spectrum pursue what they might now only dream about.You will rise to rejoice with all the contributors when they reach the mountaintops and proudly tell you of their successes. But youll also ride through the swampland of emotions and turmoil. Chapter by chapter you will read and recognize key factors that were important in the young and developing lives of these scholars. They share some of the deepest even darkest secrets. Youll know the torment get a sense of the anxieties and fears and youll become aware of the hyper-sensate world of autism where a simple touch of love and reassurance can feel like a blow to the body.Youll see their frustrating sense of incompetence that competes with their other sense of brilliance. Youll witness their view of intolerance to societys complete misunderstanding of who they are who they want to be of who they can be. Dr. Paradiz concludes that in order for the world to better understand those on the spectrum We must do all we can to change attitudes. Contributors Darold Treffert MD.; Dawn Prince Ph.D.; Stephen Shore Ed.D.; Liane Holliday Willey Ed.D.; Valerie Paradiz Ph.D.; Nick Walker MA; Dena Gassner LMSW; Temple Grandin Ph.D. Editor Lars Perner Ph.D.; 2011 182 pages; soft cover. Item Weight - 1 lbs.